IAABC Foundation

Cassie Malina founded Awesome Animal Solutions in 2020 to offer the most positive, least intrusive effective solutions to anyone looking to help their animals reach their fullest potential. She offers virtual and in person consulting for people working or living with animals. Prior to 2020, Cassie spent twenty-two years with Natural Encounters, Inc., where she produced and performed in free flight bird shows at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and across the country. As NEI’s Director of Staff Development, she mentored countless staff and workshop attendees on the many aspects of managing and training a large bird collection. She was Parrot Kindergarten’s School Counselor for the first two years that the school has operated, beginning in April 2021.

Cassie has taught the art and science of animal training at numerous workshops, webinars, podcasts, and conferences across the US and abroad.  She received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 from the IAATE, commemorating her 20 years on the Executive Board. She is also a ZAA, ABMA, and IAABC member, sitting on the ZAA Welfare Committee. She was featured on the ABMA Podcast “Animal Behavior Conversations” in March 2024 discussing “How to Start a Behavior Program”. She completed Dr. Susan Friedman, Ph.D.’s LLA course and maintains her IAABC CPBC and IATCB CPBT-KA certifications.

When Hildegard Niemann began her studies in biology, she had no idea that parrots and parakeets would "order" her life. A little green budgie stole into her heart and where there is one parakeet, a second soon follows... and with it, the first step into a life as an advocate and advocate for our feathered family members.

Hildegard Niemann is a certified behavior consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultant IAABC. She writes articles on parrot and parakeet behavior and husbandry, lectures, organizes webinars and online consultations, and guides owners in personal consultations by phone, online in ZOOM meetings, and on-site. Hildegard Niemann has worked with countless parrots and parakeets and their keepers to inform them and provide the birds with a harmonious life in their enclosures.

In Hildegard Niemann's opinion, one of the main reasons for behavior problems in parrots and parakeets is not the bird itself, but communication problems between the keeper and the bird sharing a habitat. The solution to these problems can be achieved through education, training and education.

Hildegard Niemann is married with two daughters and shares her life with her gray parrot Hope, her parakeets and two rabbits. In her spare time, she roams the countryside with her camera looking for birds, works in her garden, and relaxes by knitting.

Fun Facts:

- Hildegard Niemann has been renamed by her grey parrot Hope. Her name is now "Hoo-hoo!"

- When Hildegard Niemann has online meetings, the birds are usually in another room: they're always chattering away!

- When Hildegard Niemann gives talks at conventions in the USA, she plays with birds beforehand. That helps against stage fright!

Founder of Animal Académie in France, Lisa Longo is an animal behavior consultant.
She graduated from the LLA (Living & Learning with Animals) and LLP (Living & Learning with Parrots) programs in 2015. Seeking to enhance her training techniques, she attended intensive “Contemporary Animal Training and Management” seminars and workshops at the Natural Encounters Center in 2016. Lisa is a Certified Professional Bird Trainer and an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional. Her particular passion for parrots led her to publish a book called The Pet Parrot’s Guide (Le Guide du Perroquet de Compagnie) in France. Besides working with parrots, Lisa is also a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, a Family Dog Mediator, and a TAGteacher level 1. In 2022, she received the Medal of Honor from the Change Makers Foundation, which recognizes individuals deeply committed to improving well-being through the application of evolving science and emerging best practices in their fields. Lisa currently shares her home with a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, a Red-lored Amazon, a Blue-and-Gold Macaw, and a Göttingen pig.

Robin Horemans is the owner and head trainer for Parrot SOS, providing foundational training for pet parrots and their owners. She is also the Director of Operations for the IAABC. She is a Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant (CPBC), Certified Pet Bird Trainer Knowledge Assessed (CPBT-KA), a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), an Accredited Dog Trainer (IAABC-ADT), Fear Free Certified, among many other certifications.
Robin has over 20 years of experience working with parrots and their caregivers. Whether teaching online classes, providing support in one-on-one coaching, working directly with rescues, or presentations for larger audiences, she strives to make science-based parrot behavior available to all parrot people. When she isn't training, she relaxes at home with her African Grey parrots Quentin and Marengo, and two cockatiels, Monster and Skeeter.

Dr. M Scott Echols lives in Salt Lake City and is a board-certified avian specialist veterinarian working primarily in the U.S.. Dr. Echols graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995 and completed his residency in avian medicine and surgery at the Medical Center for Birds in 1999. He is an internationally recognized author, speaker, researcher, adjunct professor, visiting professor, and practitioner. His artwork has been featured on several magazine covers and in numerous galleries in the US, Europe, and other locations. Awards include Recipient of the TJ Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year Award, 2005; Recipient of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association 2007 Non-Traditional Species Practitioner of the Year Award; Wellcome Images Award 2017 Finalist and Texas A&M 2018 Distinguished Alumnus Award. Dr. Echols has numerous inventions in the field of imaging which are currently being used in animal and human medicine. Dr. Echols splits his time between private practice, research, education, and outdoor activities.